Track device for automatic train-stopping apparatus



M 2, H923. msams C. C. HOLE TRACK DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC TRAIN STOPPING APPARATUS Original Filed May 1, 1922 2 Sheets-Slwt 1 fiaaries CJivZe,

mam-43 I May 22?, 11923.

Original Filed May 1, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 22, 1%23.

UhillTE STATES CHARLES C. HOLE, OI FREMONT, NEBRASKA.

TRACK DEVICE FOR AUTDMATIC TRAIN-STOPPING APPARATUS.

Original application filed May 1, 1922, Serial No. 557,645.

Serial No. 558,076.

The invention relates to a track device for 1 an automatic train stopping apparatus and is a division of a co-pending application filed th first day of May, 1922, Serial No. 557,645.

he object of the present invention is to provide a simple, practical and eificient track device of strong, durable and comparatively inexpensive construction designed for use in conjunction with the block signal system of a railway and equipped with a tripping head or member movable to and from a projecting position for operating the train mechanism of the aforesaid application.

A further object of the invention is to provide a track device of thischaracter adapted to be set or operated by a train entering the block to project the tripping head of the device and capable, when its head is in such projecting position, of operating and setting the brakes of a train following the first, should the second train run under a signal set against it and enter the block occupied by the preceding train.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a track device equipped with means for automatically restoring its parts to their normal position after the train operating it has moved out of the block and left the same clear.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claims, may be re sorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings, in which like characters of reference designate corresponding parts in the several views Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section view of a track device constructed in accordance with this invention.

Divided and. this application filed May 3,

in which a vertically disposed tripping head is employed.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated the preferred forms of the track device, designed for use in connection with a train mechanism of the aforesaid application, 56 designates an arcuate tripping head or member which is carried automatically to a projecting operative position and returned to an inoperative position by the mechanism hereinafter described. The tripping head or member 56, which is arranged horizontally, is of substantially segmental form and is carried to and from a projecting position by an approximately U-shaped slide or frame composed of spaced vertical sides and a horizontal inner bottom connecting portion 58. The sides extend through suitable openings 59 in a casing 60 designed to be mounted at the side of a track provided at the said openings 59 with suitable guiding and packing means for excluding moisture and dust from the interior of the casing. The horizontally disposed tripping head 56, which forms and operates as a double cam and which is adapted to actuate the laterally movable tripping lever of the aforesaid application, when the lever is moving along it in either direction, is suitably connected to the upper ends of the sides of the slide or frame and is located exteriorly of the casing 60 and when in its lowered position it is arranged below and out of the path of the tripping levers and when elevated to a projecting position is located in the path of the tripping levers. When it is located in its projecting position it is adapted to engage the tripping lever at that side of the track for swinging the tripping lever transversely of the tender on which it is mounted. This operation, as explained in the aforesaid application, opens the control valve for either blowing the signal whistle or for reducing the pressure in the train pipe of the air brake mechanism to cause an application of the brakes.

The vertically movable frame or slide is provided at the bottom with spaced dependbottom of the casing 60, which may be con-v the vertically movable frame and equipped at the other arm with a weight 66, preferably secured to the said bars or members to the levers 63 and adapted, when the lever is free to move, to swing the weighted arm of the'lever downward and thereby move the frame or slide 58 upwardly to carry the tripping head 56 to its projecting position. The stand (34 is suitably secured to the structed of any suitable metal and which may be mounted in a foundation or support ofconcrete or other suitable material. The casing is provided at the top with a removable plate or section 67, which is detachably bolted or otherwise secured over an opening 68 in the casing, and the said opening is adapted to afford access to the interior of the casing when the plate or section 67 is removed. The. weight may be of any desired form and is maintained in an elevated position by toggle. 69 composed of upper and lower links pivoted together at their adjacent ends at 70 and having their adjacent pivoted portions arranged to be at .tracted and held by an ele'ctro-magnet 71,

whereby, when the .block signal circuit in wliichthe electro-magnet 1S placed has a current flowmg through it, as is the case when the block is clear, the magnet will be energized and will maintain the toggle in its locked or holding position to retain the weight elevated.

The upper end of the upper linkis pivoted at '72 to the top of the casing and the lower end of the lower link. is pivoted to the transverse portion of the vertically movable frame or slide centrally of the same. The transverse portion is provided with central upwardlyv projecting ears 73 to receive the pivot 7d at the lower end of the toggle. When the frame moves upwardly the toggle breaks and the central portion of the toggle is carried away from the electromagnet and when the frame moves clownward, by the means hereinafter described, the central portions. of the links are carried to their normal position contiguous to the electro-magnet. The electro-magnet, which is of the ordinary construction and which consists of a coil and a soft metal core is arranged in the block signal circuit through which a current of electricity normally flows but when a train enters the block the current ceases to flow and the electrodnagnet becomes deenergized and permits the weight 66 to move the slide or frame 58 upwardly and break thetoggle.

When the train leaves and clears the block and the current again flows through the block signal circuit it also passes through a motor circuit 7 5 and operates an electric motor 76, which is connected by a train of gears 77 with a sprocket wheel 78. The sprocket wheel 7 8 actuates an endless sprocket chain 79 which is arranged on the said sprocket wheel 78 and on similar sprocket wheels 80 arranged in spaced relation with the sprocket wheel 78 and forming horizontal upper and lower fiightsor stretches and vertical flights or stretches of the said endless sprocket chain. The motor circuit is provided with a circuit closing device or switch, having an angle lever 81 pivoted at 8:2 to a suitable insulated support 83 and adapted to have one of its arms engage a fixed contact. 84 for closing the motor circuit. The other arm of the angle lever is arranged in the path of the vertically movable frame or support-58, and is adapted to be engaged by the same as the frame or support approaches the limit of its downward movement, whereby the angle lever 81 will be swung out of engagement with the lined contact 841- and the motor circuit opened when the frame or slide 58 reaches the limit of its downward movement. A coiled spring 85 is connected with the angle lever 81 for urging the contact arm of the switch lever into engagement with the fixed contact 8a and a connecting wire 86 extends from the contactarm of the lever 81 to'one of the terminals of the motor circuit. The contact lever is suitably insulated from the vertically movable frame and when the frame'or slide 58 is at the limit. of its downwardmovement the motor circuit is open and when the slide or frame is lifted the angle lever 81 is released and the motor circuit is closed so that when the block clears and the current is again flowing through theblock signal circuit, with which the motor circuit is connected, the motor will be operated and will actuate the endless sprocket chain and carry a projecting member 87 into engagement with the weighted arm of the lever 63 and elevate the said weighted arm and thereby move the slide or frame 58 downwardly. This will return the toggle to its normal position contiguous to the electro-magnet and the latter being energized will maintain thetoggle. in its normal position.

Any additional electrically controlled catch or locking mechanism may be employed for locking the frame or slide in such position. Also it will be clear, that the breaking of a rail a wash-out or the like will break or interrupt the block signal circuit and de-energize the electro-magnet and trip the track mechanismand cause the tripping head to be moved to its projecting operative position so that a train will be prevented from entering a defective block. When the motor has completed its operation of lifting the weighted arm of the lever and the slide or frame 58 has reached its lowermost position the circuit closing device or switch will open the motor circuit and stop the electric motor. As the block signal sys tem does not constitute a portion of the present invention and as the present invention is applicable to the ordinary block signal system, illustration of the block signal system is deemed unnecessary.

In the form of the invention, illustrated in Figure a, the arcuate tripping head or member 88 is arranged vertically and is adapted to engage a depending arm of a tripping lever arranged to swing longitudinally of the track, as shown and described in the aforesaid application. The vertically movable tripping head or member 88 is mounted on a vertically movable frame or slide constructed and operated as hereinbefore described.

What is claimed is:

l. A train stopping apparatus, including a track device comprising horizontally disposed tripping head having a curved side face forming a double cam for moving a device in a horizontal direction, and means for raising and lowering the tripping head.

2. A train stopping apparatus, including a track device comprising a tripping member movable inwardly and outwardly to and from a projecting operative position, automatically operable means for moving the said member outwardly, and electrically controlled means for holding the member against outward movement, including a toggle and an electro-magnet adapted, when energized, to hold the toggle and when deenergized to permit the toggle to break and the. tripping member to move outward.

3. A train stopping apparatus, including a track device comprising a tripping head, a slide or frame movable inwardly and outwardly, a toggle connected with the frame, and means including an electro-magnet for holding the toggle and thereby preventing outward movement of the tripping head.

i. A. train stopping apparatus, including a track device comprising a casing having guide openings, a frame movable through the said openings, a tripping head carried by the frame and arranged exteriorly of the casing, means for actuating the frame for moving the head outwardly, a toggle connected with the casing and the frame, and an electro-magnet adapted, when energized, to hold the toggle and when de-energized to release the toggle and permit outward movement of the tripping head.

A train stopping apparatus, including a track device comprising a casing having guide openings. a frame having spaced sides extending through the guide openings, a

toggle located between the sides of the frame and connected with the same and with the casing, means for automatically moving the frame outwardly, and means including an electro-magnet adapted, when energized, to hold the toggle and when deenergized to permit the toggle to break and the tripping head to move outward.

6. A train stopping apparatus, including a track device comprising a vertically movable frame having spaced sides and a connecting inner portion, a lever having spaced members connected at one end with the frame, a weight mounted between the members at the other end thereof for elevating the frame, and means for holding the frame against movement.

7. A train stopping apparatus, including a track device comprising a vertically movable frame having spaced sides and a con necting inner portion, a lever having spaced members connected at one end with the frame, a weight mounted between the members at the other end thereof for elevating the frame, and means for holding the frame against movement, the latter means including a toggle located between the sides of the frame and connected with thesame, and an electro-magnet adapted, when energized, to hold the toggle and when de-energized to permit the toggle to break and the frame to be lifted by the weight.

8. A train stopping apparatus, including a track device comprising a vertically movable tripping head, yieldable means for antomatically urging the head upward, a motor, and mechanism including a flexible member actuated by the motor for returning the tripping head and the said mechanism to their initial position.

9. A train stopping apparatus, including a track device comprising a vertically movable tripping head, yieldable means for automatically urging the head upward, a motor, mechanism including a flexible member actuated by the motor for returning the tripping head and the said mechanism to their initial position, and a switch arranged to be operated by the said mechanism for cutting out the motor when the said tripping head and mechanism have returned to their initial position.

10. A train stopping apparatus, including a track device comprising a tripping head, a weighted lever for moving the tripping head upwardly, a motor, and mechanism actuated by the motor and including an endless chain provided with means for engaging the lever to return the same and the head to their initial position.

11. A train stopping apparatus, including a track device comprising a tripping head, a weighted lever for moving the tripping head upwardly, an endless chain provided with means for engaging and movping head upwardly, an endless chain provided with means-for engaging and moving the weighted portion of the lever upwardly to return the tripping head and the lever to their initial position, a motor, gearing connecting the motor with the chain for actuating the same, and a switch arranged to be engaged by the lever to cut out'the motor.

13. A train stopping apparatus, including a track device comprising atripping head, a weighted lever for moving the tripping head upwardly, an endless chain provided with means for engaging and moving the weighted portion of the lever upwardly to return the tripping head and the lever to their initial position, a motor, gearingconnecting the motor with the chain for actnating the same, and an automatically closing switch arranged to be opened by the lever to cut out the motor.

14. A train stopping apparatus, including a track device comprising a tripping head, a Weighted lever for moving the tripping head upwardly, an endless chain provided with means for engaging and moving the weighted portion of the lever upwardly to return the tripping head and the lever to their initial position, a motor, gearing connecting the motor with the chain for actuating the same, an automatically closing switch arranged to be opened by the lever to cut out the motor, and electrically controlled looking means for holding the head against upward movement.

15. A train stopping apparatus, includ ing a track device comprising a vertically movable frame, a tripping head carried by the frame, a toggle connected with the frame, a weighted lever also connected with the frame and adapted to move the same -upwardly, an electro-magnet adaptedto engage the toggle for holding the frame against upward movement an endless chain provided with means for engaging the weighted portionof the lever to return the same and the frame to their initial position, a motor, gearing connecting the motor with the endless chain, and an automatically clos-- ing switch arranged to be opened by the lever when the same is returned to its initial position. v

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

CHARLES C. HOLE. 

